Monday, January 10, 2011

10:44 AM

Wisconsin lawmakers offered their thoughts and prayers to the victims of this weekend’s shooting in Tucson, Ariz., that included congressional colleague U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.

"I am shocked and saddened beyond words by the horrific shooting of my colleague ... members of her staff, and others at a supermarket in Arizona," said U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison. She noted that Giffords was meeting with constituents at the time, a practice she called "critical to the proper functioning of our democracy."

U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy, R-Ashland, added, "Although I have only been a Member of Congress for a short time, I had the pleasure of meeting Congresswoman Giffords on the floor last week and found her to be kind, charming and a committed public servant."

U.S. Reps. Paul Ryan and Jim Sensenbrenner also offered statements on the shooting, while former U.S. Rep. Dave Obey called for "inflammatory loud mouths of all political persuasions on radio, on television, and in politics, to stop peddling their conspiracy theories, stop impugning other people’s patriotism and dedication to the constitution, and quit demonizing people who politically disagree with them, and to stop using the language of violence in urging other people to participate in the political arena.”

"Gabby Giffords is a wonderful friend of mine and a wonderful human being. My heart goes out to her family and the families of the other Tucson shooting victims," Obey said in a statement. "We are now reaping the whirlwind after years of wild anti-government, anti-politician, simplistic political vitriol. Over time, that vitriol can create a climate that makes it easier for unhinged and unbalanced individuals to go over the edge with tragic results for innocent victims and the nation."

The House has put off any roll calls this week in the wake of the shooting. That includes delaying a planned vote on repealing health care reform.